I saw that article, too. I think she is doing it as in "in your face" gesture towards the religious right who condemn her books.

Remember that crazy mom in my school district who was trying to get the Harry Potter books banned from all of our school libraries? She has lost now at the state supreme court level and is talking about appealing the decision to an even higher court.

I am so sorry your school district has such a scary woman. But she certainly does stand up for her beliefs. I hope her family is financially well off. I imagine this is quite expensive, and I hate to think of her kids going without because Mom wants to challenge a book being in the library.

I have not seen the article, but so what??? I have never understood why it is a big issue, nor do I care to understand. I guess someone somewhere felt the need to stir the pot.

The mom's quest to ban Harry Potter has blossomed into a movement being financed by groups that have similar religious and political views to hers.

That said, she has taken a lot of criticism from the public and the press so I do admire that she has stood up for what she believes in. However, it is a case of one person trying to enforce her religious beliefs on the rest of society so I hope that the courts continue to rule against her.

The sad part is that the mother has always had the right to put the Harry Potter books on a list at the school library that her kids would not be allowed to check out. I guess that wasn't good enough for her.

I'm sure that hearing that Dumbledore is gay will make her hair stand on end.

Ladies, I need to remind you that religous topics are not to be discussed here. And please do be careful how you express your opinions for others with different views than yourselves. That "crazy mom in my school district" may have exactly the same views as your fellow board members here, newbies, or lurkers and we have no need to make them feel unwanted or dissed for an off topic discussion such as this.

The article said the works are "a prolonged argument for tolerance" in Rowlings words.

We need tolerance, in my humble opinion.

Susie

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Susie's right on. We need tolerance. I'm very concerned that this thread may turn into a bashing of the religious right or homosexuals. As a reminder, there is no place on this board for such intolerance of anyone. Too many of our members' families are marginalized because of different lifestyles or factors beyond their control.
Please proceed gently and with compassion.

I am never going to understand why anyone wastes efforts on something that is based in imagination. It's just not worth it. There are too many real issues in this world that need to be faced head on.

To each their own. If you don't agree with it, just don't read it or let your kids read it. Is it really that difficult?

Someone ought to email this Mom and let her know that her child has just as much access to porn via the library. Course that might cause the poor woman to stroke. lol But to me that's a REAL issue. You know, something she could get her teeth into.

I don't care if they have porn in a library, just don't let my underage child be privy to it. (which they did)

I have nothing against the Mom who is trying to ban the books personally. She has every right to believe what she wants just like I do. But I have to wonder just how much of her display isn't because she's enjoying all the attention she's getting for it.

I saw the article on Dumbledore as well - I took great fun in telling easy child 2/difficult child 2 to see her reaction. Much the same as mine, really. Why would JK Rowling come out with this NOW, after the book is thoroughly released and the series is completely done? It's not as if it's a teaser for the next novel.

Frankly, I think she's just being provocative. Not sensible, in my opinion, if that's all it is. Although maybe the publicity will sell more books.

husband is also very sceptical about her motives. And reading that part of the novel - why does Dumbledore's relationship with Grindenwald have to be a sexual one? Why does it ALWAYS have to be put down to sex? Can't people just be good friends? Whatever happened to friendship?

And yes, it IS fiction. But fiction, especially when it's so thoroughly publicised, should at least be consistent within itself. I'll just have to put this down as yet another internal consistency in the series.

"Very sad. This is a children's book that unfortunately is geared more to weak minded adults. If she wants to write adult themes then she needs to write for the adult market. This is just another way of attempting to force these false values on our children"
There couldn't be truer words spoken. in my humble opinion. These were supposed to be fun books and now they don't seem so fun anymore

I've never cared if anyone was gay, straight or indifferent. Ms. Rowling outting Dumbledore made little sense. I've enjoyed the Potter series. I did get the hint that Dumbledore might be gay or at least had a homosexual episode in his life in book 7. Thought that's rather strange for a fantasy book and thought no more about it. It just didn't factor into my enjoyment of the books or my liking of the character.

What did matter to me was that Dumbledore was a good headmaster and a great wizard. He guided with a firm and gentle hand. He wasn't my favorite character of the adults -- he left Harry with too many questions too often, especially ones that should have been answered. The man liked his secrets too dang much! (Yes, I know it wouldn't have been much of a series of Dumbledore just told Harry rather than Harry finding things out with his friends, but still ....)

Overall, his sexual preferences have nothing to do with the books. Now, if Malfoy had been gay, we might have had some fun with that.

So, my take is to let Ms. Rowling have her fun and I'll get on with my life and mope and whine that the Potter series is done.

Guess the adage that everyone gets their 15 min. of fame holds true. In this case for both parties. If we ignore the nonsense then maybe some of the sensationalism and titilation will subside. Don't we have more important issues to spend our energy and emotions on?

If the Moderator is uncomfortable, I have no problem with a lock
or deletion. It didn't even cross my mind that it might be a
controversial topic. I just wondered why...all the books have
been published and the lady is allegedly the wealthiest woman
in Great Britain. Seemed like there must be a reason for it and
now, lol, I know the reason.

I hate not "getting" something in the news. It makes me feel...
"old" LOL! DDD

I don't get it eihter, but then I never read the books: I am an adult and my only reason for reading children's literature was when I needed to discuss it with my children. Fortunately, since I do not like sci fi or this type of stuff either, my kids did not NEED me to read these books, so I didn't.... But I digress....

DDD,

Where did you get the info that Rowling is the richest woman in England? Richest private citizen I could believe, but richer than the Queen?

I think the books started out as children's literature. And good literature at that. I believe they got increasingly 'dark' and occult-ish. I would not have wanted my young children to read the last few novels. They were scary.

This is what I don't understand...my kids are not allowed to celebrate halloween in any shape or form at their schools here, because in the words of my son's 4th grade teacher "certain religions find it offensive". She said she can't even pass out a coloring sheet with a pumpkin on it. And thats acceptable to people? But when a parent objects to a book in the library, that is not ok?
My parents always told me that if my teachers assigned a book and I found it to be offensive, then I should ask for an alternative assignment. And I did that on several occasions where there was strong profanity or lude acts included in their choice of novels. I personally teach my kids the same thing, that they can't force things on you that make you feel uncomfortable, and to use common sense as to not be so quick to say, "wahh? a pumpkin offends me" shesh
Maybe I am comparing apples to oranges here, but this is all so new to me. We just moved from the deeeep south in louisiana to Virginia which seems alot more liberal and easily offended.